About This Masters Degree

Course Description

This Literacy Learning and Literacy Difficulties MA will provide students with a deeper understanding of the processes involved in learning to read, write and spell, the sources of difficulties, and approaches to intervention.

Degree information

This programme provides students with the opportunity to draw on the strengths of a team with research expertise in literacy and experience in evaluating early literacy interventions. They will also investigate literacy acquisition and problems in depth, covering reading, writing and spelling.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. The programme consists of three core modules (90 credits), one optional module (30 credits) and a dissertation (60 credits).

Core modules: -Research Methods in Literacy and Literary Development -Literacy Development -Literacy Practice in Writing and Comprehension

Optional modules -Reading and Spelling Difficulties -Students choose one or two optional Master's level modules from across the UCL IOE offering.

Dissertation/report All students submit a 20,000-word dissertation (60 credits).

Teaching and learning Sessions for all modules are offered face-to-face in the evenings, supplemented by online discussion and reading. Dissertation/report group sessions are also delivered in the evening and are supplemented by one-to-one supervision. All 30 credit modules are assessed via the equivalent of a 4,000-word assignment.

Careers

Graduates of this programme are currently working across a broad range of areas. Some are working as literacy co-ordinators and special educational needs co-ordinators, while others have jobs as literacy advisers and specialists. Graduates can also be found working as teachers and as independent literacy intervention tutors.

Top career destinations for this degree: -Primary School Acting Deputy Head Teacher, Peterborough City Council -Primary School Class Teacher (Year 5), Belmore Primary Academy -Primary School Class Teacher, Sacred Heart Catholic Voluntary Academy -Special Education Deputy Head Teacher, The Collett School

Employability Students learn to diagnose a range of literacy difficulties and then to be able to consider appropriate interventions for those struggling with their reading and/or writing. Those graduating from the programme usually enhance their career prospects and can demonstrate a deeper understanding of literacy learning and supporting struggling readers and writers. Graduates usually move into coordinator/literacy management roles.

Why study this degree at UCL?

The Department of Learning and Leadership at UCL Institute of Education (IOE) has developed an internationally-recognised reputation for early childhood and pre-school and primary education studies.

The department has a vibrant teaching programme and offers a range of enriching events including research seminars and conferences in the field of early childhood and primary education.

In all its work, the department is strongly committed to working in partnership with government agencies, education authorities, schools, early years and community groups and other departments within the IOE.